A/N: Well, it only took one songfic for me to get over my writers block, but this chapter has finally been published. *sigh* This chapter took forever to write, but I promise I'll make more soon! Promise! ^_^()

You like me, you really like me! *Hugs all her reader/reviewers* Time to respond to you guys again, methinks, so here goes.

Larissa: =) Thank you for your nice review, and don't worry, you don't sound like a broken record.

Dahee Fanel: Sorry I had to leave you with a cliffy, but I just couldn't write anymore that night. I have more for you guys though. I'm not going to tell you whether or not Rin dies; you'll just have to read!

Darck Child Of Earth: You really think this story is cool? *Bows* Thank you.

Shazaoblossom: I should give you a prize or something for reading AND reviewing the whole thing. Joining forces and taking over Studio Ghibli...I like it. I thought it was a cool way to end the chapter too.

Yes, I realize this ends in another cliff, but I will write more before I go to Costa Rica next week! One question. How can one seem to think? I mean, you're either thinking, or you're not!

/I'm lost. I'm going to find me. If I get back before I return, please tell me to wait\

Disclaimer: I don't own Spirited Away, but since shazaoblossom and I will be taking over Studio Ghibli, I will soon! Nya!

Leaving Chapter 11

Leaving

That day seemed to go by agonizingly slowly. Of course, Chihiro paid almost no attention whatsoever to any of her classes, since her mind was on other things then the Age of The Warring States. It wasn't until she opened her notebook to try taking some notes when she realized something. She had opened a page with a bunch of doodles on it. Hadn't she been talking to Kagami when she drew those? Yes, that was right. And she had mentioned the Spirit World and...something about a girl who had gone in but never returned. Chihiro could hardly wait for lunchtime.

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As soon as the class was dismissed for their midday meal, Chihiro pulled Kagami aside. Kagami asked her what was wrong. For a moment, she silently rocked back and forth on the balls of her feet, before finally deciding to jump on ahead with her questions. "Hey Kagami. Remember a few days ago? You were telling me about the old theme park? The one you found one day and then couldn't find again?"

She said this all very rapidly and for a second before she nodded. Chihiro seemed glad. "Yes? You said something about a girl who went in there and never came out right?"

Again Kagami nodded and Chihiro's face lit up. She then looked uncertain. "Do you by any chance know the name of the girl?"

She blinked. "Erm...I know I have it written down somewhere." She opened up her notebook and started flipping through the pages. Some were covered in sketches, some writing, even a few that were overflowing with notes in the tiniest handwriting. It was at one of the pages with the minuscule writing that she stopped. She tapped the page with her finger. "I made these notes while I was talking to Ami's grandfather," She shrugged. "It's somewhere here."

She scanned the page for a moment, before nodding. "Got it. He said he knew the girl when they were young. She ran into the woods one day while they were playing a game. They saw the theme park entrance, but never found her. He said her name was..."

Chihiro was looking over her shoulder at the notebook, anxious that she might not have gotten a name. Finally, Kagami found it. "Reiko. He only knew her for a short while, but he said she was nice in a strange sort of way. Whatever that means. He only knew her for a little while before she disappeared."

"Thank you, thank you, thank you so much!" Chihiro exclaimed, hugging her friend enthusiastically.

"Um, you're welcome?"

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Finally, though it seemed like ages to Chihiro, the teacher excused them from their last class. Grabbing Kohaku, she called a farewell to her friends, and pulled him along behind her. Rin was waiting for them where they had left her that morning. This time, though, she was sitting down, with one arm wrapped lightly around her stomach. When she saw the two, she stood, smiling. "Hey, I was beginning to wonder when you were going to show up."

Chihiro bowed slightly. "Sorry. Sensei let us out late. So what do you want to do first?"

"Huh?"

This response came from both Kohaku and Rin. Chihiro, unaware they didn't know what she was asking, elaborated. "Well, even though this is a really small town, there are some fun things to do. Like we could all see a movie at the dollar theater, or we could get ice cream, or we could just walk around town until we find something to do. Or maybe..."

Rin realized, as the girl continued, what she was talking about. A day of pure fun. A part of her wanted to go along with the flow. Give them the bad news tomorrow. But, she knew that if she waited, she would want to put it off again. She then realized Chihiro had stopped talking and was now looking at her expectantly, as if she wanted an answer to something. "Hn? Whaddya say?"

"What do you want to do?"

She hesitated. She had to tell them now. Or she never would. "Chihiro, I can't."

Chihiro was obviously confused. Sighing, Rin turned to Kohaku to give some semblance of an explanation. "I'm not here to stay."

At this news, Chihiro let out an exclamation of surprise, while Kohaku nodded, calm as ever. "I suspected as much. But, why did you come?"

Not wanting to look him in the eye anymore, she instead stared at the ground. "I came because..." She paused, not wanting to say what she had to. "Because the legend is being proved, and the prophecy is coming true." By the end of the sentence, Rin's voice had softened to a near whisper.

Now this was all very cryptic to Chihiro, but Kohaku seemed to understand it. And it seemed to be bad news, judging by the worry and anxiety his eyes betrayed, even if he wore a calm façade. "Are you sure?" He questioned softly.

Rin nodded. "They're fading fast over there. That world won't last much longer. After that, this world and its people will start to go." She paused. The whole time she had been talking, she hadn't looked up. "And at sunset tomorrow, if the prophecy isn't fulfilled, I die as well."

Fear was now there too, in his eyes, and it was beginning to show in his expression. But he nodded calmly. "A binding spell."

Chihiro was getting more confused by the moment, and said so now. Rin finally looked up at Kohaku. "You tell her, Dragon Boy." She said, using her new nickname for the river spirit. "I'm done being the bearer of bad news."

After hearing this, Chihiro was even more worried. Kohaku seemed to think for a moment, before sighing. "I guess the proper place to begin, would be the legend itself."